fourth class


noun
  1. (in the U.S. Postal Service) the class of mail consisting of merchandise weighing one pound or more, including parcel post and all first-, second-, or third-class matter weighing 8 ounces (227 grams) or more and not sealed against inspection.

Origin of fourth class

1
An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Words Nearby fourth class

Other definitions for fourth-class (2 of 2)

fourth-class
[ fawrth-klas, -klahs, fohrth- ]

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or designated as a class next below third, as for mailing, shipping, etc.

adverb
  1. as fourth-class matter; by fourth-class mail: Send it fourth-class.

Origin of fourth-class

2
First recorded in 1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fourth class in a sentence

  • Not having heard what station he had booked for, I took a fourth-class ticket to Wittmund, which covered all chances.

    The Riddle of the Sands | Erskine Childers
  • The same day we were marched in a body to the railway depot and herded into a fourth-class car.

    The Trail of '98 | Robert W. Service
  • It was a snowy day, the train was full, and he was obliged to climb into a fourth-class place, a seat on the top of the cars.

  • They've just divided us fourth-class men up among the rest to do chores for them.

    Captain Jinks, Hero | Ernest Crosby
  • I suppose you understand, Jinks, that none of us upper-class men can afford to be seen talking to you fourth-class beasts?

    Captain Jinks, Hero | Ernest Crosby

British Dictionary definitions for fourth-class

fourth-class

/ US /


adjective
  1. of or relating to mail that is carried at the lowest rate

adverb
  1. by fourth-class mail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012